Project

Broadband Research Initiative

Broadband Research Initiative

Broadband connects communities to an increasingly digital world. It has transformed industries, changed the way we access goods and services, and become an indispensable part of modern life.

Yet despite more than two decades of public and private efforts to expand broadband access, gaps persist. Nearly 21 million Americans, mostly in rural areas, still lack a reliable high-speed connection.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution for improving coverage, any effort would benefit from more research and data-driven policy discussions.

The broadband research initiative will focus on:

  • Promising practices: Identifying how states have addressed gaps in connectivity.
  • Research: Conducting research on issues related to broadband access and expansion, including the economic impacts of broadband and the collection, verification, and visualization of connectivity data.
  • Convenings: Bringing together government, research, and industry leaders and other stakeholders for data-driven discussions about improving broadband access.
Data Visualization

State Broadband Policy Explorer

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Data Visualization

State Broadband Policy Explorer

Pew’s broadband research initiative reviewed state statutes, executive orders, and other governing directives for “broadband” and related terms (e.g., “high-speed internet”). This tool also includes information on state broadband programs gathered from state websites. All information was provided to states for review and verification.

Broadband
Broadband
Report

How States Are Expanding Broadband Access

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Report

How States Are Expanding Broadband Access

Broadband is increasingly intertwined with the daily functions of modern life. It is transforming agriculture, supporting economic development initiatives, and is a critical piece of efforts to improve health care and modernize transportation. But the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that 21 million Americans still lack broadband access.

Fact Sheet

21 Million Americans Still Lack Broadband Connectivity

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Fact Sheet

Broadband is high-speed, reliable internet with actual download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. It can be delivered via fiber, wireless, satellite, digital subscriber line (DSL), or cable.

Trust Magazine

America’s Digital Divide

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Trust Magazine

America’s Digital Divide

As the internet becomes increasingly intertwined with daily life, millions of Americans, from rural areas to inner cities, still lack access to high-speed broadband service. But states are finding ways to make new connections.

OUR WORK